Chicago Gourmet Seminar Takes Italian Detour

Chicago Gourmet, the annual Saturday and Sunday foodie fest at Millennium Park attracts many of the country’s best chefs, sommeliers, speakers and authors. There is awalys plenty to look forward to: incredible wines from vineyards around the world, delicious samples from the city’s best restaurants served personally by their executive chefs, informative seminars that teach the nuances of wine and cuisine and book signings that offer up-close-and-personal chats with some of the food world’s most impressive chefs and authors.

But as those of you who read this blog know, I’m never happier than when I can experience two of my favorite passions—cuisine and travel. That’s why I made sure not to miss Discovering Molise - Recipes, History and More, a lively seminar from Michelin-starred Spiaggia Chef and partner Tony Mantuano (who President Barack Obama has called his “favorite chef” and who along with First Lady Michelle visited Spiaggia for their first dinner out after being elected commander-in-chief), and his wife Cathy, a wine expert/consultant and co-author to The Spiaggia Cookbook – Eleganza Italiana in Cucina and 2008’s Wine Bar Food: Mediterranean Flavors to Crave with Wines to Match. This 45-minute chat gave the world-renowned Chef Tony and Cathy a chance to share their passion for the little-known Italian region of Molise (pronounced Mo-LEE-say).

Molise is mountainous and sparsely populated—yet the Mantuanos have fallen in love with this region that almost never makes it onto American tourist itineraries. It’s a place where for 3,000 years traditions and lifestyles have revolved around sheep-rearing communities—and even today, many of its culinary specialties still come from these livestock. (Chef Tony said his favorite breakfast was sheep-made ricotta—made from sheep fed only on olive tree leaves—and drizzled with the same oil!)

Cathy’s ancestors are from Molise (Tony hails from the southern region of Calabria), she and her husband most recently visited this spring. They’ve made friends with food purveyors and olive oil producers—including Francesco and Pia Travaglini of Il Tratturello. So impressed with their extra-virgin oil, the Mantuanos served samples of it during the Chicago Gourmet seminar. As they prepare to open Bartomo—their much-awaited small-plates Italian bar in the former Bistro 110 space at 110 East Pearson Street—“We’re going to pour all of Francesco’s olive oils at every single table,” said Chef Tony. “There’s no mirrors and smoke—it’s the real thing.” A wonderfully fruity oil with a peppery kick, Il Tratturello is available for sale in the States through Gustiamo.com, a New York-based importer.

Molise is “so unknown and so beautiful, so easy to get to—you can drive or take a train (from Rome),” said Cathy. She talked about the region’s awe-inspiring ancient ruins and architectural digs, its comfortable but by no means luxurious accommodations—but it sounds as if its best resource are its people. “The Molisani are very friendly; they want people to know about them." Best of all, Cathy and Tony—who also is executive chef at Terzo Piano in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago—say they plan to lead a travel tour to Molise, giving food lovers a chance to experience the hospitality and cuisine of this region. For those of us who love food, love Italy and love learning about both, this will be a winning ticket! Stay tuned to Spiaggia’s website for details.

Tagged as: Chicago Gourmet, Tony Mantuano, Cathy Mantuano, Spiaggia, Terzo Piano, Molise and Il Tratturello

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Maureen Jenkins s a food/travel writer and communications professional who's visited more than 30 countries and territories, lived in Florence, Italy -- and is spending the year in Samois-sur-Seine, a charming village near Paris, France. The self-proclaimed “urban travel girl” talks travel, food and wine – abroad and in Chicago – in “TCW Travel Connection.” Read more of her thoughts on living globally at UrbanTravelGirl.com.